In Tune With Nature: Perfect Mix

Ann Matesi
July 1, 2000
Luxury Home Builder




	"We try to create a home that is a direct reflection of the client's tastes." - Builder John Popinski, Lifestyle Concepts The terraced design of the pool enclosure is both aesthetic and practical. While the multiple levels serve to define the functional and seating space, they also allow the house to make a smooth transition down to the river that flows behind it.

Anyone who says you can’t mix business with pleasure will have reason to reconsider after taking a closer look at this eye-catching custom residence in Bonita Springs, Florida, which offers its upscale owners the perfect mix of work and play.

In addition to its 7561 square feet of interior living space, the home features more outdoor living space than many homes have inside-over 2632 square feet, including decks, terraces and a fantastic enclosed pool/spa area.

Designer Dan Sater II developed this contemporary charmer as a secondary residence for upscale clients who wanted to use it not only as a cold weather retreat from their primary home in Wisconsin, but also as a place to entertain business associates.

"This house really capitalizes on the true Florida lifestyle," says Sater. "People here really want to be able to live outdoors. This is where they do a lot of their entertaining, and its usually very casual in nature."




	The home’s interior style reflects the oriental tastes of its owners. All the trim, from the louvered interior doors, to the paneled ceilings, features teak, finished so that the natural grains of the wood show through.

"The outside living space is critical to the function and design of this home," says Sater. His conceptualization features massive custom windows, pocketing sliding glass doors and a cantilevered design that seems to extend the living space out over the recreational and decorative water areas. "These elements break down the barriers between the inside and out," he says.

The home’s main floor includes the master suite, formal living and dining rooms, kitchen and retreat. "This floor is really designed to function as the homeowner’s private living space," says Sater. "They do their personal entertaining down here."

With three well-equipped guest suites, a spacious game room, wet bar, media room and office, the second floor compliments the homeowners’ business interests, allowing them to entertain overnight guests in style and comfort. Specially designed niches on this level provide space for merchandise carts that are used for meetings or display.

The home’s contemporary design-with large, dramatic windows in front and back-makes the most of the long, narrow site overlooking the Imperial River on one side and the Fishbowl Bayou on the other.




	Appearing to literally reach for the sky, the prominent front gable is a true work of art and craftsmanship. Dramatic, custom-crafted windows not only contribute to the home’s contemporary character, but also provide stunning front and rear views of the scenic river.

"The riverside site selected by the client has gorgeous views," says builder John Popinski. "They really wanted to maintain this close interaction with the river."

The home’s riverside location presented Popinski with a significant construction challenge. The site required a substantial amount of fill and the entire home and pool deck had to be constructed on pilings for added stability. Still, every effort was made to maintain the natural character and slope of the surroundings. Even an aged oak tree that had fallen over was successfully restored to its original position and saved.




	Zero-corner pocketing sliding glass doors become "literally moving walls of glass," providing the visual connection between the living room and its outdoor annex" the terraced pool area-according to builder John Popinski.

Underground geothermal tubing delivers heat and air conditioning to both the home and pool.

The luxury residence features a contemporary stucco exterior, accented by shellstone trim. Chicago brick pavers, placed in a herringbone pattern, are used for the driveway and entry court.




	The kitchen has a contemporary flavor with custom-crafted teak cabinetry and granite countertops. Flooring throughout the interior public areas is honed shellstone.